If you find yourself in the middle of a legal issue, the best thing to do would be to call in a lawyer. Other people do it themselves – yes, defending yourself in court is allowed – but with such high stakes, it is advisable to have an expert by your side. However, it comes with a price, and more often than not, it is not inexpensive. Read on and understand the costs involved.
1. There are many different legal scenarios and they differ in severity. But if there is one thing in common among all of them, it is that they do not come cheap. Firstly, you should decide how much you are willing to spend for the legal services mandurah. This is a chief consideration in any legal issue. Know how much you are comfortable spending in the process of getting the court to come up with a decision that is favourable to you. Moreover, when you are looking around for a prospective lawyer, do not be afraid to ask the firm or the attorney about their fees – how much and how they charge. Always ask questions if something is not clear to you. Whether the lawyer welcomes them or not – this will be indicative of their willingness to serve and help you.
2. Common Practices. There are several ways that lawyers charge. The fee arrangements are discussed below:
Hourly Rate – This is the most typical arrangement. The client and the lawyer agree upon an hourly rate for the legal services mandurah rendered. This means all the time used for your case until it is resolved. The rate will depend on the lawyer’s experience and related expenses. The location plays a role, as well. In urban areas, it is more expensive. Also, lawyers who specialize in a specific field tend to charge higher.
Flat Fee – When the case is simpler and well-defined, it is common for the lawyers to charge a flat fee. Examples are uncomplicated bankruptcy cases, uncontested divorces, and wills. Do not forget to ask what the flat fee covers. There may be other expenses such as filing fees.
Retainer Type – This is like an advance payment for the hourly rate of the lawyer. The retainer payment is deposited into a trust account and as your fees accrue during the course of the case, these are deducted from the retainer. In this case, it is imperative for clients to review the billing statements.
Contingency Fee – Other cases allow for the client to forego paying the attorney up front. Instead, the lawyer will receive a percentage from the settlement obtained when the case gets resolved. Typically, lawyers get one-third of the amount as contingency fee. This is common in car accident lawsuits, medical malpractice cases, personal injury lawsuits and debt collection claims.
Go over the billing process with your lawyer carefully so that you can prepare financially and avoid unwanted surprises with regard to the legal fees in the middle of your stressful lawsuit. Also, remember that cheaper is not always better. Consider the lawyer’s experience and you might find that your case gets settled quickly.